Vindicator’s view on pope and marriage challenged

Opinion: July 5, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Your editorial ABOUT the recent vote in Ireland to legalize same-sex marriage certainly bears some comment and rebuttal.

First, you say Catholics are “bereaved.” Your implication that Catholics who had voted for same-sex marriage had died spiritually is indeed a stretch. Catholics, regardless of how they voted, remain vital and fully involved with their faith.

From the earliest years of Catholic formative education, our clergy and educators have been consistent in reminding us that although Christ died for our sins, we have been given a “free will” to act as we choose. Catholics are free to choose to vote for whatever their conscience leads them to feel most comfortable with, regardless of the feelings of the church leadership.

Therefore, it is no surprise that most of the Irish populace approved same-sex marriage and that our own Supreme Court legalized gay marriage. Not unlike our own political system, our church has a liberal and conservative wing. There is plenty of room for both to set forth their agendas and Pope Francis himself has inspired contrary debate.

Second: “A reputation of the church’s leadership in Ireland and Rome” There is absolutely no evidence that the leadership of the church has been repudiated. Our pope, cardinals and bishops and clergy remain steadfast in their leadership effort and Pope Francis has been a breath of fresh air in his short term. When over a million people turn out to attend a Mass in South America, we should reconsider any comment of repudiation.

Third: “Get your house in order.” Pope Francis has been outspoken in his determination to remove any member of the clergy who has been identified as a pedophile. He even used the term “with a big stick” to emphasize his disgust. What further comment can be set forth?

However, there indeed has been a decline in attendance in developed countries. Why such a dramatic deviation from basic Catholic guidance? I am certain that the reasons have been considered and reconsidered countless times.

The 60’s spawned a revolution which created a “throwaway” society. If it doesn’t feel good, discard it.

The Catholic Church has remained steadfast in its position on all of these issues in the face of contrary public opinion, the feelings of many educated Catholics and even members of the clergy. The Church remains committed to the permanence of marriage, remains committed to the fact that life begins at conception, does not condone cohabitation, resists the use of contraception and remains opposed to same- sex unions. I, along with the vast majority of mankind, rejoice in the God-given complementing relationship of masculinity and femininity. What’s wrong with that? We cannot rewrite the B ible or deviate from human nature.

Art See, Canfield